On the heels of last week's release of the lack-luster round robin comes more encouraging scheduling news. According to ESPN's Andy Katz, the Buffs have managed to schedule Oklahoma State for a neutral site tilt at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 20th. While no TV has been announced, you can bet it will be nationally televised.
This is a solid step in the right direction, scheduling wise, with the Buffs matched up with the odds on favorite to win the Big XII. It'll be an RPI win regardless of actual outcome.
That Coach Boyle can get a neutral site date like this set up only further underscores how far the program has come. The added exposure will be a boon to both the players, recruiting, and the fanbase. It also doesn't hurt that it's on the same court that the 2014 Pac-12 tournament will be played on.
My only concern is the type of crowd we can swing for this game. As of late, BuffNation has been getting out in force to support the RollTad Express, even on the road, but we're not yet at the point that you can expect the stadium to be half-filled with Black and Gold. However, it's an old, familiar Big XII rival at an attractive, easy travel destination... maybe I'm just underestimating how many degenerate gamblers we have in the alumni base.
As for finishing up the schedule, Katz says, "(Boyle is) trying to add one more neutral site game and one more
home-and-home series as well as two other guaranteed games." All sounds promising, depending on opponents. When the schedule is finalized, maybe we'll all look back at the hand-wringing over Arkansas St, Jackson St, and Tennessee-Martin and laugh at our overreaction.
Now, excuse me as I daydream about the forthcoming Spencer Dinwiddie v. Marcus Smart prize fight.
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